Beowulf - Limited Edition | Folio Society Reviews

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This is the Folio Society limited edition of the Old English epic poem Beowulf, composed sometime between the 7th and 10th century AD.

The book is limited to 750 hand-numbered copies and it comes in a clamshell box covered in saphir cloth. It’s bound in mustard goatskin leather blocked in metallic blue and gold foils. The blue details of the leather looks like it has some depth - making the front cover even more visually stunning.

The leather has a very nice feel, it’s not heavily cushioned but still feels good in the hands.
The book has a Smyth-sewn binding that opens up very easily. It’s printed on Arena Natural paper in two colors, blue and black.The paper is acid-free, pH neutral - it is a completely white paper with a textured feel. It’s heavy, rich and with a pleasant smell, quite similar to the leather. The top of the pages are gilded and there’s also a blue ribbon marker. The limitation page is printed letterpress on Merida Ochre paper and it’s signed by the introducer and the illustrator.

Welsh artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins has illustrated this book with 11 illustrations, including 8 double-page spreads. I will unfold my opinions on the illustrations and overall production of this book in a separate in depth-video. But I can say that they are majestic, monstrous and fits perfectly well with the tale of Beowulf.

The endpapers are printed with a design by the illustrator. There are 304 pages in total, set in Bembo Arcadian. Included is also a print that comes in a presentation folder, which I show at the end of this video. The book is printed and bound in the UK.

Time-table:

Clamshell Box 00:00
Opening the box 01:08
Binding 01:52
Inside the book 03:56
Limitation page 04:39
Introduction 05:45
Beowulf first page 07:49
Illustrations 08:28
End of the book 11:50
Print 13:10

#foliosociety #beowulf #epicpoetry

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[nqqwxdi]

Thank you, Pontus, for paying such meticulous attention to the presentation of the book and the images. I worked for a year to make the illustrations, and so it's most heartening to see them beautifully and sympathetically filmed, complete with mood-drenched music. From what you say in the commentary you seem to be enjoying this edition, and that makes me very happy to know. I loved making it.

[hedgiecc]

Absolutely gorgeous. But the price! I can only dream

[martinkirsch]

Beautiful.
Sadly I can't afford this edition but at least I have this video now😅Thanks!

[xjyowif]

Thank you for the detailed review! I’m really tempted to get this one but just not so uncomfortable with the price😅 but I really like the artwork and the translation seems really good! Very understandable for nonnative-speakers and doesn’t lack the rhythmic style as well!

[Fierylunar]

It looks like a nice edition, though I am wondering how it compares to the fine edition from a couple of years ago. Looks like that had fewer full page illustrations but a more "complete" look with page top and page bottom borders throughout .

[Steamforger]

A really fantastic video, Pontus! Thank you for the detail - did you end up buying this or is it a review copy you were sent by Folio Society?

[Pessoa]

Thanks for this. I'm still on the fence. Do you think it's worth the premium when compared to the standard edition? 600 pounds is a lot just for the leather around the book.

[javio]

It is a nice edition, but I do believe the 2010 editions looks much better style-wise. Specially taking into consideration the price difference

[Sams]

I know you put out a video that you are tired of your Folio books, or something to that effect... so are you going to sell this one? or is this still a keeper?

[PontusPresents]

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